Architecture Tour of Moscow's Metro and Kolomenskoye Estate

Itinerary
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Stop At: Moskovskiy Metropoliten, Moscow 119048 Russia

After meeting your guide at the hotel, head through the complex network of Moscow’s metro. Opened in 1935, the extensive system includes 185 stations that cover 190 miles (305 km) underground.

On this 2-hour metro tour, revel in Moscow's glory days, as well as the years of scarcity. Admire the impressive architecture of Moscow’s stations and learn first-hand how the unique character of each interior has changed with each new political era.

See stations like Kievskaya and Slavyansky Bulvar with their pompous halls and high stucco ceilings versus those built later, like Volzhskaya – lightly adorned with sparse furnishings. Your guide will discuss how architect Alexey Dushkin and painter Alexander Deyneka were just two of the many artists who made these magnificent landmarks possible.

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Kolomenskoye Historical and Architectural Museum and Reserve, Andropova Ave., 39, Moscow 115487 Russia

With your guide, take the metro to Kolomenskoye Estate (fare included), situated in a large park just outside of Moscow’s city centre near the town of Kolomna. Here, enjoy a 3-hour walking tour.

Visit the Front Gate Complex, located at the Tsar’s Courtyard in Kolomenskoye, built in 1673 during the reign of Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich. It was the main entrance to the summer residence of the Tsar: it is through the Front Gate that distinguished guests, who arrived to Kolomenskoye by the ‘ambassadorial road’ coming from the Moskva River side, would enter the residence.

Take a ride through the magnificent park of Kolomenskoe on electric car (weather permitting), soak up the beautiful scenery and listen to your guide's stories of Russia’s fascinating royal history. See its historic and cultural sites and hear an exciting tour on your way. This ride will permit you to travel around the XVII century Tsar’s residence in Kolomenskoye and to see the wonderful palace that used to be situated at its heart and has been lately reconstructed on a new place, near the village of Dyakovo. On your way, learn the history of architectural and natural landmarks, namely the Ascension and Dyakovsky Gardens that made part of the palace residence, the Apothecary Garden, and the XVI century churches built at the epoch of Tsar Ivan the Terrible (Church of the Ascension and Church of Beheading of St. John the Forerunner in Dyakovo).

Visit the “The Russian fairy-tale” - The Wooden Palace of Alexey Mikhailovich built in the second half of the 17th century in Kolomenskoye, which is considered to be one of the best masterpieces of Russian wooden architecture. The wooden palace of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich with 270 rooms decorated with paintings and carvings was built in 1667 without using any fasten materials, nails or hooks. It consisted of 26 buildings connected with each other by passages and halls. The whole complex was divided into male and female parts. The male part included ceremonial chambers, chambers of the Tsar and of his sons, while the female part belonged to the Tsarina and to the Tsar’s daughters. After the death of Alexei Mikhailovich the palace was rebuilt. During the XVIII century, it was gradually falling into decay despite all efforts to save it. On October 4, 1962, Catherine the Great inspected the palace and even ordered to carry out some minor restoration work. But the palace was not destined to be her Moscow residence. In 1768, Catherine ordered to demolish wooden palace which was dilapidated by then. Two centuries later, in the 1990s, authorities began its reconstruction, which was based on archaeological and historical researches. By this time the original basement of the palace was covered with a centuries-old forest. Thus the building was decided to be relocated to the far end of Kolomenskiy park. The palace was turned into the museum where currently visitors can see the everyday life of the Tsar’s family.

Listen to your guide's stories as you walk around the magnificent estate and enjoy views of the landscape below. Learn how during the reign of Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov in the 17th century, Kolomenskoye became the favourite summer residence of the tsar’s family.

Duration: 3 hours